Well Beyond 40

It’s time for another Q&A! JJ answers a question from a listener wondering if The Virgin Diet is effective for people who have had failed gastric surgeries. She’ll cover the basic lifestyle changes that will help anyone who wants to take charge of their health. Developing good habits is a must, as is continuing those habits after you’ve reached your goals. Ready to get started on a new, healthier you? Listen now for some great JJ tips and advice!

Episode Play-By-Play

[0:45] ImperfectShark3 asks if The Virgin Diet can help people who have had failed gastric surgeries.

[1:00] Obesity is not about you being a bad human; obesity is your metabolism not working due to one or more of these many factors.

[2:21] Diets do work...You need to ask yourself the following questions to find out the best type of diet that will work for your body.

[3:10] Before you begin a focused diet, you can start by adding or swapping these foods.

[3:43] Once you’ve done that, begin taking out things that are toxic.

[4:00] Figure out which foods your body doesn’t tolerate well (The Virgin Diet)

[4:20] Figure out where these things are sneaking in and get them out (Sugar Impact Diet)

[4:50] Start adding in movement.

[4:57] This is a process, you didn’t get here overnight.

Mentioned in this episode:

Recipes at jjvirgin.com

Reignite Wellness 365 membership

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Sunlighten Sauna

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Razi Berry, expert in naturopathic medicine, joins JJ today, discussing how being disconnected from ourselves and others has impacted our ability to hear what our bodies are telling us. Because we don’t have that communication, we make choices based on outside influences for when and how much to eat.  Doing a few key exercises and eating foods that feed the emotional centers in our brains can improve body intuition, thereby improving our health. Listen to this wonderfully enlightening episode now!

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get Razi’s free Secret to Unlocking Your Intuition by going to jjvirgin.com/intuition.

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. Being disconnected from our bodies has impacted our ability to self-regulate. Disconnecting is the basis for many eating disorders.
2. Improving our intuition can help us get healthier. Lack of listening affects our ability to know when and how much we should eat.
3. Doing a few exercises each day can help you reconnect with your body. You’ll improve your ability to hear the signals your body is giving you to make better choices.

Episode Play-By-Play

[5:30] How Razi got to the point she is at now

[8:00] Naturopathic medicine operates on the idea that your body heals itself when you supply it with this.

[8:50] Eating disorders result from a disconnection from your body.

[9:44] Why are people so disconnected from their bodies that they don’t associate what they’re doing with putting their body in harm?

[11:55] When we don’t use our senses, they atrophy, including our ability to recognize the inner voice of our own bodies.

[14:05] Instead of listening to our own bodies, we let outside influences, like time and Google dictate what time to eat, what to eat, and how much to eat.

[16:00] A definition of chemosense; our sense of smell isn’t only in our nose.

[17:10] How can we reconnect, strengthen that intuition?

[17:51] A few exercises to increase our sensitivity and our sensibility

[19:01] What you do with your body translates to this system

[20:15] Doing these few exercises helps increase your interoceptive accuracy.

[21:00] Certain foods have similar effects on our brains.

[24:28] We need to get back to trusting ourselves.

[25:50] Why Razi called her podcast Love is Medicine

[27:20] Women are caretakers, we need to remember that we are the first person we should be taking care of.

Action Step: Connect back into your body and truly listen. For example, only eat when you’re truly hungry, not because you were triggered by a suggestion or because of the time on the clock.  And, think of ways you can connect more to others in your life.

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Love is Medicine Podcast

Love is Medicine website (blog)

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Today JJ discusses what sugar does to your body. She’ll review different types of sweeteners, including natural and artificial options, and give her opinion on each. Tune in to find out what JJ thinks about sweeteners like table sugar, aspartame, and saccharin, as well as options like stevia, monk fruit, and sugar alcohols. JJ shares the reasons why you might want certain sweeteners in your life, and why you want others out pronto!

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get JJ’s quiz “Are You a Sugar Burner or a Fat Burner?” by going to jjvirgin.com/sugaroptions.

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. Sugar is an absolute no-no. Here are some alternatives that can be safely incorporated instead.
2. As a nation, our sugar intake has increased dramatically. As a direct result, our levels of obesity and illness have also increased.
3. There are some safe and beneficial sugar alternatives. However, we must limit the amount of sweeteners we consume, healthy or not.

Episode Play-By-Play

[4:30] Many people have questions about sugar alternatives.

[5:00] While the glycemic index was a good start, what we need to focus on is how sugar and alternatives affect this

[6:22] What sweeteners you should absolutely not be using

[7:14] These diseases and illnesses are made significantly worse by consuming sugar

[8:05] Control your sugar intake, any food you eat should have this many grams or less of sugar

[8:45] If an alternative sweetener is all-natural, does that mean it’s good for you?

[9:35] Fructose can only be metabolized by the liver, which will turn it into this

[11:00] The impact of drinking one diet soda a day

[12:07] When you eat sweet, you crave this

[13:28] Artificial sweeteners cause calorie dysregulation. What is that?

[14:20] Here are some healthier artificial sweetener options

[15:50] Discussing stevia

[17:40] JJ’s thoughts on allulose

[19:54] Discussing sugar alcohols

[21:25] Talking about monk fruit or lo han guo

[23:00] Discussing glycine

[24:14] Two additional options that people don’t usually think of as sweeteners

[27:44] The absolute worst sweeteners that need to be removed from your diet today

[30:45] Make sure you’re eating a trifecta of these types of foods

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Sweet Treats Guide

Sugar Impact Diet

Creamy Chocolate Protein Pudding

Paleo Pumpkin Brownies

Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse

KNOW Foods

When Is It Okay to Use Stevia blog

Study on Stevia

Study on Allulose

Study on Monk Fruit

Study on Glycine

Keto Chews

Zevia Soda

JJ Virgin Sprinkles

Lemon-Aid recipe

(Stay tuned, these two are still being developed) Pumpkin Almond Cream Cheese Cheesecake Champagne Vinaigrette from Cal a Vie Spa

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One of our listeners asked about saturated fat in coconut milk. JJ explains the importance of having fats in our diet, and the difference between naturally saturated and artificially saturated fats, and how vital a role fat plays in a healthy diet. She also lists foods that contain good saturated fats. Listen in today for this information-packed podcast!

Episode Play-By-Play

[1:06] Isn’t coconut milk too high in saturated fat?

[1:29] Choose oils that have these types of fats

[2:00] You must select these types of saturated fats

[2:55] Good saturated fats can turn bad if this happens

[3:50] It’s important to get a good balance of these 3 things

[4:55] Our bodies actually need a balance of anti-inflammatory and inflammatory foods.

[5:12] Foods that contain good fats: grass-fed beef, wild fish and seafood, raw nuts and seeds, avocado, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, pastured egg yolks, coconut and coconut oil.

Mentioned in this episode:

Recipes at jjvirgin.com

Reignite Wellness 365 membership

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Smoked Paprika Cayenne Roasted Almonds

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Dr. Marisol Teijeiro, better known as Queen of the Thrones, is a leader in natural medicine and an expert on gut health. She joins JJ today as they discuss how using castor oil packs can improve your digestive health! Listen as Dr. Marisol shares factors that can contribute to uncomfortable digestive symptoms, including bad bacteria and biofilm in your gut. Dr. Marisol also reviews the many amazing healing benefits of castor oil and how it can help ease your symptoms, as well as the best things to look for when choosing a high-quality castor oil pack. Plus, do you know which foods could be triggering digestive symptoms? Dr. Marisol has some ways to find out!

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get Dr. Marisol’s free 50 Shades of Poop guide and link to castor oil packs by going to jjvirgin.com/castoroil.

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. 14-21% of the world suffers from IBS. Symptoms of IBS are very common, yet treated with stigma.
2. How do you overcome the bad bacteria in your gut? What role does biofilm play in improving your gut health?
3. This simple treatment applied daily has amazing gut health benefits. It will improve your body’s overall functioning.

Episode Play-By-Play

[2:59]  The link between gut health, inflammation, and foods you are intolerant to

[4:11]  What is castor oil and how does it influence gut health?

[6:45] 14-21% of the population suffers from IBS, worldwide.

[8:50] The difference between good and bad bacteria

[9:10] What is biofilm, and why you need it to be gone

[11:25] Symptoms that indicate you have bad biofilm

[13:00] Ways to improve your biofilm

[14:00] You must track your foods to determine what you are sensitive to, which is not necessarily what the most common sensitivities are.

[15:20] Transit time between men and women differs.

[16:42] Check your own transit time by doing this at dinner.

[18:14] Two great suggestions to improve your biofilm and transit time

[22:36] Benefits of a castor oil pack (FAITH)

[36:26] What are the things to look for in a good castor oil?

[37:00] Toxins, chemicals that are in plastics, can move into oils. So, you should never buy oils in plastic.

Action Step and Challenge: Take the 7 Day Castor Oil challenge

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Dr. Marisol previous episode

Oh Sh*t! By Dr. Marisol

JJ just returned from a fantastic trip to Iceland. She immediately felt energized and happy and calm, and wanted to find out why. The Icelandic people eat very clean and spend a lot of their social time in the hot springs, soaking in the physical and emotional benefits. Listen to find out what we can learn from Icelanders about health and happiness, as well as how to incorporate those healthy habits into your everyday life! 

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get JJ’s free guide Stress Reset by going to jjvirgin.com/iceland (also Mentioned below)

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. The Retreat Hotel is built into lava stone on the Blue Lagoon hot springs. The water is rich in minerals and reaches temperatures between 95 and 105 degrees.
2. Icelanders eat a very clean diet. Their animals eat only indigenous plants, and their produce is grown in greenhouses and so requires no pesticides.
3. The hot springs have wonderful healing properties. They are also a big part of Icelandic community and socialization.

Episode Play-By-Play

[3:28] JJ stayed at the Retreat Hotel, which is built into the lava rock at Blue Lagoon geothermal waters.

[5:17] In addition to the waters being rich in minerals and sulfur, soaking together is a big part of Icelandic community, sharing time with others.

[5:54] The mineral-rich pools help relieve pain, arthritis, high blood pressure, sleep problems, stress, and skin issues, just to name a few.

[6:30] The drinking water in Iceland is pure, mineral-rich spring water.

[7:05] The water is also silica rich, a key component in collagen creation and which helps with hair, skin, nails, and to build bone density.

[7:18] During her stay, JJ exfoliated with volcanic salts, then used a silica body mask, followed by an algae mask, all great for circulation and detoxification. She also tried out extreme temperature change, steaming in a sauna followed by a cold plunge, and found it super invigorating.

[10:00] The hotel uses only non-toxic cleaners, which leaves the rooms smelling fresh and clean, no chemical or moldy smell.

[11:18] The Icelandic diet has the highest fish consumption in the world. They don’t eat much grain because it has to be imported. Their meat is fed only indigenous plant life.

[14:20] Because of their climate, all veggies are grown in greenhouses, so no pesticides are used.

[15:21] The population is very fit and very happy.

[17:20] Top takeaways

• Super, duper clean city. How can we contribute to cleaning up our environment?
• Detoxifying on a regular basis
• Hot and cold temperature exposure
• Attend the gym regularly
• Eat as clean as possible
• Drink mineral rich clean water from glass containers
• Create as clean an environment as you can, reduce your carbon footprint
• Look at what you can do to improve your sense of community

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Retreat Hotel in Iceland

Sunlighten Sauna

Stress Relief Guide

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It’s time for another Q&A! In today’s episode, JJ answers a listener’s question about fasting and working out first thing in the morning. Tune in as JJ discusses what quality workout you should be striving for, and if you are able to do this while fasting. She’ll offer suggestions on what you can consume before a workout that won’t break your fast. Listen in today for this information-packed podcast!

Episode Play-By-Play

[1:00] A listener asked, “Can I work out in a fasted state?”

[1:30] The answer depends on your ability to do this

[2:00] If you don’t eat or drink anything else, though, this is a great thing to consume before you work out.

[3:00] You should always strive for good form while working out as hard as possible.

Mentioned in this episode:

Recipes at jjvirgin.com

Reignite Wellness 365 membership

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Does Coffee Break an Intermittent Fast by Mark Sisson

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World-renowned neuroscientist and neuro-nutritionist Dr. Lisa Mosconi joins JJ today as they discuss a vitally important topic: women’s brain health. Women's brains age distinctly from men's, due in large part to the decline of a key brain-protective hormone: estrogen. Dr. Lisa and JJ discuss the roles of estrogen in the body and the brain, as well as the connection between menopause and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Many factors contribute to risk for Alzheimer’s, but a lot of them boil down to inflammation, and adjusting lifestyle can help reduce the risk. JJ and Dr. Lisa also discuss foods that are harmful and foods that are helpful in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get Dr. Lisa’s free handout by going to jjvirgin.com/xxbrain.

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. Women’s brains are very different from men’s. One interesting way is that women’s brains age differently.
2. Menopause has a huge impact on the brain. Symptoms associated with menopause don’t start in your ovaries, they start in your brain.
3. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by many factors. Many of them can be improved by adjusting diet and lifestyle now.

Episode Play-By-Play

[1:00]   Talking about women’s brains and how they differ from men’s

[4:15]   How Dr. Lisa, as a neuroscientist, got involved in studying women’s brains

[7:55]   How different are women’s brains from men’s and how specifically are they different?

[8:55]   Men’s brains and women’s brains age differently.

[9:30]   Women’s brains are really impacted by this condition that every woman goes through.

[9:50]   How is it good that women’s brains are more interconnected?

[11:35]  Men go through andropause, the male equivalent of menopause, but the effect on the body is very different.

[13:30]  Symptoms typically associated with menopause don’t start in your ovaries, they start in your brain.

[15:00]  Sex hormones aren’t related only to reproduction, they’re strongly involved with brain function.

[15:20]  Estrogen serves a number of functions that have to do with energy.

[16:30]  Dr. Lisa’s thoughts on bioidentical hormone replacement

[17:50]  Many factors contribute to risk for Alzheimers, but a lot of them boil down to inflammation, and adjusting lifestyle can help reduce the risk.

[18:30] Some other factors that increase risk

[20:33] Foods that are big no-no’s for your brain health; trans fats (processed foods) are one of the worst, and particularly bad for women.

[22:02] 3 key nutrients for women’s brains and some of the best places to find them

[28:04] Eating this food once a week has been associated with a later onset of menopause.

[29:30] You can’t unscramble an egg. Take prevention measures now to prevent Alzheimer’s later. Don’t wait too long to begin.

[30:45] How you can incorporate lessons from today’s topic in your life

Mentioned in this episode:

The XX Brain

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

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Today JJ discusses how vitamin D helps your body perform at its best. She lets you know how much vitamin D you should be taking, ways you can get this super hormone into your system naturally, and how to determine how much you should be taking when you supplement. She’ll also talk about what foods contain vitamin D, and which vitamin you should always take along with it. Tune in today for this informative episode.

Freebies From Today’s Episode

Get JJ’s guide, The Top 7 Immune-Boosting Tips: How to Stay Healthy All Year Long by going to jjvirgin.com/vitamind.

Main Points From Today’s Episode

1. Vitamin D is vital to your good health. It affects your body, mind and attitude.
2. Vitamin D plays a big part in your body’s ability to lose weight. It controls insulin sensitivity, and makes it easier to burn fat.
3. Make sure to test your levels. If you’re not getting enough of this important vitamin, supplement and make sure to test twice yearly if you live in a climate with major weather changes.

Episode Play-By-Play

[1:27] Some of the benefits of Vitamin D in your body

[2:40] First, strong bones and teeth need calcium, but do you know how vitamin D helps?

[3:56] Do you know which vitamin you must take with vitamin D, and why?

[6:01] Second, vitamin D is produced by exposure to the sun, and in winter there is a lot less sunshine.

[7:00] Depending on this factor, you will need to adjust your intake of vitamin D

[7:30] Third, vitamin D boosts your immune system, and here’s how

[8:55] Check your vitamin D levels by having this test performed by your doctor

[9:45] Fourth, vitamin D is actually a hormone. It can help with your mood and improve symptoms of depression.

[11:54] Fifth, vitamin D helps make your weight loss easier.

[12:30] How vitamin D helps support insulin sensitivity, and the importance of insulin sensitivity in fat burning

[13:41] Six, vitamin D helps you maintain a healthy heart.

[14:50] Vitamin D helps with healthy muscles.

[15:45] What are some reasons we aren’t getting enough vitamin D?

[17:23] Foods that contain vitamin D - fatty fish (salmon and sardines), cheese (if not dairy intolerant), beef liver (grass fed), mushrooms, and egg yolks (pastured).

[19:00] It’s not always easy to get your vitamin D through food or sunshine, so supplement.

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Top 7 Immune-Boosting Tips: How to Stay Healthy All Year Long

Warrior Mom

Miracle Mindset

You Are Stronger Than You Think movie

Dr. Holick’s information on vitamin D

Vitamin D Plus supplement by JJ Virgin

25-hydroxy vitamin D test Lab IQ

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It’s time for another Q&A! A listener asks JJ, “What type of magnesium do you recommend?” Magnesium serves the body in many different ways, and this is what dictates which type of magnesium you should be taking. Listen in today for this information-packed podcast!

Episode Play-By-Play

[0:35] From Kathleen F in SD, “What type of magnesium do you recommend?”

[0:56] Benefits of magnesium in the body

[1:40] What type of magnesium you should use depends on what you need it for. Magnesium for constipation requires a different formula than magnesium for helping you sleep.

Mentioned in this episode:

Recipes at jjvirgin.com

Reignite Wellness 365 membership

Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin

Become part of JJ’s community

JJ Virgin Official Facebook page

JJ Virgin on Instagram

JJ Virgin on YouTube

Magnesium oxide, hydroxide, citrate, ascorbate (constipation)

Magnesium chelate, bisglycinate (calming & sleep)

Magnesium malate (muscle aches)

Magnesium glycinate, threonate (brain health)

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